Kolkata: The West Bengal government will
formulate a renewable energy policy soon to encourage efforts to exploit non-degradable sources of energy.

The existing policy was framed by the erstwhile
Left Front government.

"We have already submitted the draft policy to the
government," principal power secretary Malay K De said here
today at a energy forum organised by the Bengal Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
The policy intends to encourage investment in
renewable sources of energy like wind energy, solar energy,
etc, by way of granting various concessions to willing
investors.

Refusing to divulge the details of the proposed
policy, De speaking on solar energy indicated that West Bengal
was not in a position to match best solar tariffs available to
investors in some states.

The proposed policy would promote the use of renewable
energy in the state. Renewable energy currently accounts for
2.5 per cent of total energy consumption in West Bengal.

Meanwhile, state utility WBSEDCL will soon supply grid
power to Sunderban areas like Gosaba, Pathar Pratima and
Hingalgunj Block.